But there will come a time when the tears South Williamsport players and coaches shed following Tuesday’s heartbreaking Class AA second round state tournament loss against Faith Christian turn into big smiles. Looking back at what they achieved and how far they came, how can the Mounties not smile when this hurt starts fading?

South won 15 of its last 17 games, captured a third straight league title, earned the program’s first district championship since 2009 and won another state tournament game, reaching Tuesday’s Sweet 16. The Mounties (20-7) reached 20 wins again as well and produced one last all-out effort Tuesday.

Bella Forker scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping FCA erase a seven-point third-quarter deficit and defeat South, 35-28 at Martz Hall. The final result, however, does not diminish what this hard-working, selfless team achieved.

“I think us as seniors started a legacy. We went to back-to-back district championships and won this year and had two years where we advanced in states,” Aleigha Rieppel said after scoring 11 points. “We set the standard high. I think everyone behind us can carry that on.”

Aleigha Rieppel of South Williamsport puts up a shot in the final seconds of the game against Faith Christian Tuesday night at Pottsville High School. Faith Christian won the game 35-28. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“You just have to put in the work to get as far as we did,” point guard Piper Minier said after making three steals. “That’s honestly what I’ll miss the most is putting in the work for every game.”

And oh, how this team worked. That legacy did not just happen. It was the result of countless hours sacrificed, overcoming adversity and never backing down.

South faced a demanding schedule, played against multiple district champions but kept moving forward and the seniors finished 55-14 the past three seasons. The Mounties capped a third straight undefeated Mid-Penn campaign before dominating the district field and winning three games by 78 combined points to win that elusive district title before adding a third straight playoff win in two years against Lancaster Mennonite in the first round.

Yes, South wanted to go farther this season. But look how far the Mounties came. That says a lot.

“They can never say they weren’t district champions. They’re district champions for life and undefeated in league play. How many teams can say that?” South coach Dean Kriebel said. “I’ll never question my kids will to win. They’re always going to bring it and that’s what I’m proud of.”

“We did a lot and won a district championship. It was great making it this far; I’m just going to miss it,” Casella said after grabbing six rebounds and playing strong interior defense. “It’s been really fun. We accomplished a lot in soccer and basketball.”

Casella, Minier and Rieppel all started for the soccer team which won districts last fall and reached the state Final 4. They, fellow senior Zoe Threeton, and all the Mounties worked together to make another memorable run and nearly reached the state quarterfinals for a second consecutive season despite losing standout Claudia Green to graduation.

In defeat, South showed what made it so good, playing well together, relentlessly defending and attacking every loose ball. The Mounties produced good shots after going up 19-12 early in the third quarter, but they stopped falling and FCA roared back. Like anyone, players and coaches will replay parts of this game in their minds, but they will never have to worry about emptying their tanks in pursuit of victory because they all did so with gusto.

“We played a brutal schedule and they hung with it. We had some tough games in our conference against Neumann, Muncy and Northwest and will rose above it all,” Kriebel said. “They always give the effort. Every game there’s effort. They’re warriors.”

FCA (22-2) plays either Marian Catholic or Montrose in Friday’s quarterfinals. The Warriors scored the game’s first three points but South countered with a 6-0 run and led until late in the third quarter. Rieppel found Mikaiya Hills for an inside basket in the closing seconds and South took a 15-12 halftime lead.

Piper Minier of South Williamsport puts up a shot under heavy pressure from Bella Forker of Faith Christian Tuesday night at Pottsville High School. Faith Christian won the game 35-28. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lacey Kriebel (10 points, 3 steals) opened the third quarter with a free throw before Minier made a steal and kicked to Kriebel for a 3-pointer. Just like that, South had its biggest lead, 19-12 less than a minute into the third.

From there, though, FCA turned up its man-to-man defense. The Warriors closely guarded ball-handlers and started closing off passing lanes and when South did get quality shots, the basket seemed to shrink. South played its trademark swarming zone defense and held FCA scoreless for four minutes to start the half, but the Warriors quickly heated up and started taking charge.

Forker, who will play at Merrimack next season, ignited the comeback with a runner before she and Mikayla Hissner hit key 3-pointers. Forker also had five steals and five blocks and FCA took a 22-20 lead by quarter’s end, never trailing again.

Rieppel scored off a drive to pull South within 24-22, but FCA countered with an 8-2 run and took an eight-point lead with 80 seconds remaining. Just when it felt like victory was a long shot, South came storming back. Kriebel scored off a drive before Minier made another steal, was fouled and calmly sank both ends of a 1-and-1.

In just 14 seconds, South cut the deficit in half and trailed, 32-28 with a minute still remaining.

Sofia Casella of South Williamsport and Brooke Picciotti of Faith Christian try to pull in a rebound Tuesday night at Pottsville High School. Faith Christian won the game 35-28. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We’ve always had heart,” Rieppel said. “We’re competitive as a whole and I’m glad we didn’t give up tonight.”

South called a timeout following Minier’s free throws and did everything possible to foul anyone but Forker who was 10 of 12 at the line. The Mounties made contact multiple times with other Warriors, but no fouls were called and eventually, they had no choice but to foul Forker. The senior again made both free throws and added another in the closing seconds as FCA clinched the win.

While Forker scored 17 points, South rarely let her loose and/or gave her clean looks. The Mounties limited her to three first-half points and played defense so well that it felt like there were eight of them on the court sometimes. South forced seven first quarter turnovers, two by Alizabeth Schuler and Kriebel’s four straight points gave it its first lead.

Rieppel had a hand in all nine second-quarter points. She first scored inside, then Miner found her for a 3-pointer before Rieppel connected with Casella and Hills to keep South ahead.

Ultimately, FCA rallied and won, but one could hardly tell by how the loyal Mountie fans who made their presence felt all game reacted. Before, during and after the game, those fans let South know how much they appreciated their season-long effort and that is something the players will carry with them as much as the district gold medal as the years go by.

Mikaiya Hills of South Williamsport has her shot attempt blocked by Bella Forker (14) and (20) of Faith Christian Tuesday night at Pottsville High School. Faith Christian won the game 35-28. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We never gave up and we believed in ourselves,” Minier said. “One of the things that I like the most is our community always supports us with every sport. That means a lot.”

FAITH CHRISTIAN (35)

Bella Forker 3 10-12 17, Maddee Huber 0 0-2 0, Mikayla Hissner 3 1-3 9, Kendall Garber 1 1-2 3, Autumn Landis 0 0-0 0, Ava Lopez 1 0-0 2, Aubrey Sauers 2 0-0 4. Totals 10 12-21 35.

SOUTH (28)

Lacey Kriebel 4 1-2 10, Aleigha Rieppel 4 2-2 11, Piper Minier 0 2-2 2, Sofia Casella 1 1-2 3, Alizabeth Schuler 0 0-0 0, Mikaiya Hills 1 0-2 2, Ella Moore 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 6-10 28.

FCA 5 7 10 13–35

South 6 9 5 8–28

3-pointers: FCA 3 (Hissner 2, Forker); South 2 (Kriebel, Rieppel).

Records: FCA 21-6. South 20-7.

Lacey Kriebel of South Williamsport puts up a shot under pressure by Bella Forker of Faith Christian Tuesday night at Pottsville High School. Faith Christian won the game 35-28. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lacey Kriebel of South Williamsport puts up a shot against Faith Christian Tuesday night at Pottsville High School. Faith Christian won the game 35-28. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Aleigha Rieppel of South Williamsport puts up a shot against Faith Christian Tuesday night at Pottsville High School. Faith Christian won the game 35-28. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette